Charlie, Last Name Wilson

When former Gap Band vocalist Charlie Wilson appeared on Snoop Dogg's "Signs" with Justin Timberlake, the 2004 track gave the Oklahoma native the widest exposure since his funk group's late-1970s/early-'80s glory days. In 2005, Wilson followed up on this momentum with the solo disc CHARLIE, LAST NAME WILSON, a potent dose of contemporary R&B that features production work by R. Kelly. Though much of the album is straight-up R&B/soul, it does stop in hip-hop territory, most notably on the steamy "So Hot" and the defiant "You Got Nerve" (with a guest shot by Snoop). Two other highlights reveal the smooth-voiced Wilson's range--"No Words" is a romantic ballad that will have listeners swooning, while "Floatin'" (performed with Timberlake and the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am) revisits party-ready Gap Band-like funk. With its mix of old-school talent and 21st-century sounds, CHARLIE, LAST NAME WILSON is sure to appeal to a deservedly wide audience.